consumers vs. citizens

[jrtom]

quoting from an email that I just got from the Democratic National Committee:

Which is why it's time for Republicans to dig deep and identify areas where agreements can be forged on issues like expanding insurance coverage for the millions who lack it and guaranteeing that all consumers have access to care.

My response:

In this context, I am not a "consumer". I am a citizen. We need to stop talking about "consumers" when what we mean is "citizens" (or "residents")--especially when what we're talking about is a social safety net.

I find the creeping tendency to use "consumers" in place of "citizens" or "residents" to be appalling and erosive.

Comments

Consume

[fdmts.livejournal.com]

Similarly, I sort of checked out when I realized that while the talk is about "Health care," the real argument is "how do we sell health insurance to every citizen?"

I would like to be sure that there is health care available for everyone. I think that insurance is a terrible way to do it.